Butter chicken, also known as “Murgh Makhani,” is a popular Indian dish known for its rich and flavorful tomato-based curry sauce. While there isn’t a specific “famous” butter chicken recipe, here’s a general recipe that you can follow to make this delicious dish:
Ingredients:
For the Marinade:
- 500g boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- Salt to taste
For the Curry Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter or ghee
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance the acidity of tomatoes)
For Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Fresh cream (optional)
Instructions:
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix together the yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Prepare the Curry Sauce:
- In a large pan, melt butter or ghee over medium heat.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for an additional minute.
- Add garam masala, ground coriander, ground cumin, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Cook the spices for 2-3 minutes to release their flavors.
- Pour in the tomato puree or crushed tomatoes. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add the baked chicken to the sauce, along with any juices from the baking sheet.
- Stir in heavy cream and simmer for another 10-15 minutes until the chicken is tender and the flavors meld together.
- Adjust salt and, if needed, add sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Serve:
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and a drizzle of fresh cream if desired.
- Serve the butter chicken hot with naan, rice, or your favorite bread.
Enjoy your delicious homemade butter chicken!